BOURNEMOUTH'S much-derided Imax building could find itself on an "X-list" of architectural horrors which a future Tory government would have demolished.

A Conservative think-tank considered the town's Waterfront development before coming up with the idea of letting locals nominate buildings for the wrecking ball.

The idea of an X-list was drawn up by the Policy Exchange and influenced by the Channel 4 TV series Demolition, which named the Waterfront as the ugliest building in England. The building was only beaten in the UK by the Cumbernauld shopping centre in North Lanarkshire.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has backed the think-tank's proposals and said the Imax should be X-listed.

"I'm very much in favour of this initiative if it helps halt some of the hideous architecture which is damaging our landscape," he said.

"I think a system of recognising the ugliness of a building and its inappropriateness to an area can only be helpful in putting pressure on to change these buildings, but also to encourage future architects to ensure they design buildings which are appropriate for their surroundings.

"The Imax should never have been built, it should never have been given planning permission. The sooner we get rid of it the better."

James O'Shaughnessy, who came up with the X-list idea for the Policy Exchange, has suggested buildings would have to meet a list of criteria before they could be demolished.

They would have to be uninhabited or unused - which could be an obstacle for the Waterfront complex, because although the giant-screen Imax cinema is closed, other businesses are trading in the building.

Buildings would also need to have a "distressing and antisocial impact" on the area and blight the local economy.

Mr Ellwood believed it could be proved that the Waterfront harmed the economy.

He said: "The Imax is in a prime location on the seafront - from a commercial perspective we could certainly better use that site and if it tarnishes Bournemouth's reputation, that can't be good for the town."